Commentary series celebrates 20th volume in 20 years.

On Nov. 17, 2006, more than two dozen writers and editors working with the Believers Church Bible Commentary met for dinner to celebrate the publication of 20 volumes in 20 years. The dinner was held in Washington, D.C., at the conclusion of a workshop for writers and prior to the Society of Biblical Literature meeting that began the next day.

The Believers Church Bible Commentary series began 20 years ago with the publication of Elmer Martens’ “Jeremiah” (1986). Martens served for many years as Old Testament editor. Douglas B. Miller of Tabor College is the current Old Testament editor; Loren Johns of Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary is the current New Testament editor.

With the recent publication of “Psalms,” the project has averaged one new volume per year for the past 20 years. The commentary’s editorial council has stated its desire to complete the New Testament volumes within 10 years and the Old Testament volumes within 14 years. The commentaries have been received well so far in critical reviews.

The series originated when a Bible commentary series in Papua, New Guinea, caused Mennonite publisher Ben Cutrell to ask, “Might the Mennonites in North America do something similar?” Since then several Anabaptist denominations including the Church of the Brethren, Mennonite Church Canada, Mennonite Church USA, the Brethren in Christ, and the Brethren Church have partnered to develop a commentary series. An editorial council of scholars representing each of these church groups meets annually.

Nineteen scholars met at the writers workshop, which brought together those who had already written commentaries published in the series and those who are working on upcoming volumes. The workshop featured the personal experiences of commentary writers--how they went about the process of research, writing, and rewriting. Several reflected on the challenge of finding the right balance between technical or historical-critical background and contemporary appropriation in ways that communicate compellingly.

Another challenge writers have faced is being relevant without writing things that become quickly dated. Two key features of the series, which have begun to show up in other commentary series, are the sections, “The Text in Biblical Context” and “The Text in the Life of the Church.” A third challenge has been finding the right balance between how the text has functioned in the life of the church and how it might function in the life of the church.

Commentaries already published include “Genesis” by Bethany Theological Seminary president Eugene F. Roop (1987), which has been translated into Russian. Roop also authored “Ruth, Jonah, Esther” (2002). Other commentaries by Brethren authors include “Matthew” by Richard B. Gardner (1991), and “Acts” by Chalmer E. Faw (1993). In addition, the series has published “Exodus,” “Judges,” “Psalms,” “Proverbs,” “Jeremiah,” “Ezekiel,” “Daniel,” “Hosea, Amos,” “Mark,” “Romans,” “2 Corinthians,” “Ephesians,” “Colossians, Philemon,” “1 and 2 Thessalonians,” “1-2 Peter, Jude,” and “Revelation.”

The series is available through Brethren Press, call 800-441-3712 or go to www.brethrenpress.com.

Source: 1/17/2007 Newsline